Mobile storage unit

ABSTRACT

A mobile storage unit is disclosed. The mobile storage unit includes a rigid exo-skeletal frame and a flexible storage bag that couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame while within an open storage region framed by the exo-skeletal frame. The mobile storage unit also includes a top seat portion and stabilizing features that extend and retract from the rigid exo-skeletal frame to support the mobile storage unit in the upright position. The mobile storage unit can also include a monitoring device for transmitting signals that are used to determine the location of the mobile storage unit.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This Application is a Continuation-in-part of the Co-pending applicationSer. No. 10/123,753, filed Apr. 17, 2002, and titled “A MOBIL STORAGEUNIT.” This Patent Application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/673,554, filed Apr. 20, 2005, and titled “PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT ANDMETHODS.” The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/123,753, filed Apr.17, 2002, and titled “A MOBILE STORAGE UNIT, ” and the U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/673,554, filed Apr. 20, 2005, and titled“PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT AND METHODS,” are both hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable luggage and storage units.More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile storageunit with an exo-skeletal frame.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of different types of backpacks, totes, duffle bagsand luggage units that are used for porting articles from place toplace. These prior art portable storage units suffer from a number ofshortcomings. For example, once the casing of the portable storage unitis worn out or rips, the entire unit typically needs to be replaced.Also, most soft shell or fabric-type storage units used for travel arestructurally flimsy and will collapse, deform or break when placed undera load. Accordingly, such prior art portable storage units can not bestacked or sat upon.

There are also hard shell or solid shell portable storage units.However, like the soft shell portable storage units, they are unusableonce the shell is punctured or cracked. Also, the hard shell istypically thin in order to minimize the weight of the portable storageand is, therefore, can collapse when placed under heavy weight. Afurther shortcoming of a hard shell portable storage unit is that thereis no easy way to make a hard shell unit with pockets or othercompartments that can be readily accessed from outside the hard shellwithout opening the main storage compartment formed by the hard shell.

Accordingly there is a need to make a lightweight mobile storage unitsthat are structurally sound, such that they can withstand weight causedby stacking units together and/or sitting on them, without collapsing.Preferably, the mobile storage units have storage compartments that canbe replaced in the event of a tear, puncture or other damage. Also, themobile storage units preferably include outside pockets or othercompartments that can be accessed without having to open the mainstorage compartments of the mobile storage units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a mobile storage unit and mobilestorage unit system. In accordance with the embodiments of theinvention, a mobile storage unit includes a rigid exo-skeletal framethat is preferably substantially rectangular and sized to fit into anoverhead compartment of an airplane. The rigid exo-skeletal frame ispreferably made from tubes that are secured together through bracket orplate features. The tubes and bracket or plate features can be made fromany suitable material or combination of materials including, but notlimited to, plastic, metal, carbon and poly-carbonate. The rigidexo-skeletal frame forms an open storage region, with a plurality ofopen faces or sides, that is configured to hold a storage container.

Preferably, the storage container is a flexible storage bag with a mainstorage compartment. The flexible storage bag is preferably formed of awoven fabric or any other flexible material or combination of materials.The flexible storage bag fits into the open storage region of the rigidexo-skeletal frame and couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame whilepositioned within the open storage region. The flexible storage bag canbe permanently coupled to the rigid exo-skeletal frame or alternativelythe flexible storage bag can be detachably coupled to the rigidexo-skeletal frame by any suitable means known in the art including, butnot limited to, hook-loop fabric fasteners, snaps, clips, buckles andwrap features. Preferably, the flexible storage bag detachably couplesto the rigid exo-skeletal frame and can, therefore, be replaced with anew flexible storage bag when it becomes worn out or damaged. Theflexible storage bag preferably includes a plurality of outer pocketfeatures or compartments that are accessible from outside of the mainstorage compartment of the flexible storage bag and through openportions of the rigid exo-skeletal frame. For example, the rigidexo-skeletal frame can have an open section and open side sectionsthrough which matched pocket features or compartments on the flexiblestorage bag can be accessed.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a mobilestorage unit includes a top seat portion configured be at upon while themobile storage unit is in an upright position. To allow the mobilestorage unit to fit into an overhead compartment of an airplane, thedepth (the dimension from front to back) of the back is less than thewidth (the dimension from side to side) of the mobile storage unit ancould be unstable when sat upon. Accordingly, the mobile storage unit ofthe present invention preferably includes stabilizing features. Thestabilizing features are, for example, retractable kick stand featuresthat extend and retract from the rigid exo-skeletal frame to support themobile storage unit in the upright position.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mobilestorage unit includes wheels and an expandable or telescoping handle forrolling the mobile storage unit while the mobile storage is in a tiltedposition. In accordance with this embodiment, the stabilizing featuresare retractable kick stand features that extend and retract from wheelwells positioned over the wheels.

In accordance with still further embodiments of the invention, a mobilestorage unit includes a monitoring device coupled to the mobile storageunit for transmitting location signals. The monitoring device caninclude a GPS (global position system) unit and cellular phone or acombination thereof for transmitting radio location signals.

A mobile storage system in accordance with the embodiments of theinvention includes a receiving station, a computer and softwareconfigured to receive radio location signals for mobile storage unitsequipped with monitoring devices for remotely identify the geographicallocation of the mobile storage units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a schematic representation of mobile storage system withtracking capabilities, in accordance with the embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a mobile storage unit with a monitoring device and astabilizing feature, in accordance with further embodiments of theinvention.

FIGS. 2A-D show a mobile storage unit, in accordance a preferredembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, a system 100 includes one or more mobile storageunits 102. An exemplary mobile storage unit 102 includes a monitoring ortracking device 105 for coupling to mobile storage unit 102 and isconfigured for sending location signals to a GPS satellite 109 and forreceiving and processing location signals from the satellite 109, asindicated by the arrow 108. The location signals can be used forremotely identify the geographical location of the mobile storage unit102.

The monitoring or tracking device 105 is preferably 2⅝″ ×4¼″ ×1″ in sizeor smaller, and is self-contained within a box that houses theelectronics for a GPS unit, a motion detector and/or a cell phone, asexplained below. The monitoring or tracking device 105 can be fastenedinside an aluminum enclosure (not shown) of the mobile storage unit 102,such that the monitoring or tracking device 105 can not be easilyremoved. The monitoring or tracking device 105 also preferably includesa rechargeable battery (not shown) that provides the necessary power forthe monitoring or tracking device 105 to send or broadcast trackingsignals and/or location signals.

In addition to the GPS capabilities, the monitoring or tracking device105 can include a cellular phone that transmits the geographicallocation of the mobile storage unit 102 to a remote server 103, asindicated by the arrow 104. The remote server 103 can be remotelyaccessed using a personal cell phone or personal computer (not shown)and the location of the mobile storage unit 102 can be graphicallydisplayed using a graphical user interface. Alternatively, a user canremotely call the monitoring or tracking device 105 with the personalcell phone or personal computer and the monitoring or tracking device105 then communicates the location of the mobile storage unit 102 to thepersonal cellular phone or personal computer and the location can begraphically displayed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the remote server 103 canbe configured to receive location information about the mobile storageunit 102 directly from the satellite 109, as indicated by the arrow 111.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the mobile storage unit 102 in accordance withthe embodiments of the invention includes a storage portion 107 formedfrom a rigid frame and flexible storage bag coupled to the rigid framestructure, such as described in detail below with reference to FIGS.2A-D. The mobile storage unit 102 also includes wheels 131 and aretractable handle 130 coupled at or near a base portion of the rigidframe structure for rolling the mobile storage unit 102 while tiltingthe mobile storage unit 102 backwards as indicated by the arrow 135. Themobile storage unit 102 also preferably includes one or more retractablesupport structures, stabilizing features or kick stand features 121 forproviding support to the mobile storage unit 102 with the storage unitin the up-right position.

The lid of the mobile storage unit 102 preferably comprises a top seatportion 136. The top seat portion 136 can be formed from hinged sections106 and 127. The top seat portion 136 can be used as a seat for sittingwhen the top seat portion 136 is in a closed position. The storageportion 107 and the seat portion 136 preferably include complementarylocking features 129 and 129′ for holding the seat portion 136 in theclosed position. The hinged section 106 can include pocket or storagefeatures for holding office supples and the like. Preferably the storageportion 107 includes a divider 125 for dividing the main storagecompartment 124. The main storage compartment 124 is preferably equippedwith a pocket feature 123 sized for holding a lap-top computer (notshown) within the main storage compartment 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-D a mobile storage unit 200 in accordance withthe embodiments of the invention includes a rigid exo-skeletal frame 203that is preferably substantially rectangular as shown. The rigidexo-skeletal frame 203 is preferably made from tubes 204, 204′, 208 and208′ that are secured together through bracket or plate features 205,205′, 216, 216′, 217, 217′ and 219. The tubes 204, 204′, 208 and 208′and bracket or plate features 205, 205′, 216, 217, 217′ and 219 can bemade form any suitable material or combination of materials. The rigidexo-skeletal frame 203 fauns an open storage region, with a plurality ofopen faces or sides, that is configured to hold a storage container 201.

Preferably, the storage container 201 is a flexible storage bag with amain storage compartment. The flexible storage bag 201 is preferablyformed from woven fabric or any other flexible material or combinationof materials. The flexible storage bag 201 fits into the open storageregion of the rigid exo-skeletal frame 203, coupled to the rigidexo-skeletal frame 203 while positioned within the open storage region.The flexible storage bag 201 couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame 203through sleeves 210 and 210′ and can be decoupled from the rigidexo-skeletal frame 203 by disassembling the rigid exo-skeletal frame203. Alternatively, the flexible storage bag 201 couples to the rigidexo-skeletal frame 203 through hook-loop fabric fasteners, snaps, clips,buckles, wrap features and any combination thereof. The flexible storagebag 201 preferably includes plurality of outer pocket features orcompartments 206, 206′ 206″, 226, 226′ and 226″ that are accessible fromoutside of the main storage compartment of the flexible storage bag 201and through open front and side portions of the rigid exo-skeletal frame203. The pocket features or compartments 206, 206′ 206″, 226 and 226′can include zippers, as shown, flaps, snaps or any other suitablefeatures for closing and opening the he pocket features or compartments206, 206′ 206″, 226, 226′ and 226″.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a mobilestorage unit 200 includes a top seat portion 215 with hinges 208 and208′ configured to sit on while the mobile storage unit 200 is in anupright position, as shown. The mobile storage unit 200 preferablyincludes wheels 209 and 209′ and an extendable handle 207 for rollingthe mobile storage unit 200 while the mobile storage is in a tiltedposition, such as described above. The mobile storage unit 200 alsopreferably includes stabilizing features that extend and retract fromwheel wells positioned over the wheels 209 and 209′ to support themobile storage unit in the upright position. The mobile storage unit 200further includes a lock feature 213 for holding the top seat portion 215in the closed position, as shown. Also, the mobile storage unit 200preferably includes a monitoring or tracking device 105 for tracking thelocation of the mobile storage unit 200, such as described above withreference to FIG. 1A.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Specifically, the exo-skeletal frame can be made tocontrollably collapse, fold or be readily disassembled for easy storage.Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A mobile storage unit comprising: a) a rigid exo-skeletal frame madefrom tubes and brackets, wherein the rigid exo-skeletal frame forms anopen storage region; b) a flexible storage bag with a main storagecompartment and that couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame whilepositioned within the open storage region; and c) a top seat portionhaving a plurality of sides and configured to sit on while the mobilestorage unit is in an upright position, wherein the top seat portion issupported along two or more sides by the rigid exo-skeletal frame. 2.The mobile storage unit of claim 1, further comprising wheels and anextendable handle for rolling the mobile storage unit while the mobilestorage is in a tilted position.
 3. The mobile storage unit of claim 2,further comprising means for stabilizing the mobile storage unit in theupright position.
 4. The mobile storage unit of claim 3, wherein themeans for stabilizing the mobile storage unit in the upright positionincludes retractable kick stand features that extend and retract fromwheel wells positioned over the wheels.
 5. The mobile storage unit ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible storage bag detachably couples to therigid exo-skeletal frame.
 6. The mobile storage unit of claim 1, whereinthe flexible storage bag includes a plurality of pocket features thatare accessible outside of the main storage compartment of the flexiblestorage bag and through open portions of the rigid exo-skeletal frame.7. The mobile storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a monitoringdevice coupled transmitting location signals.
 8. The mobile storage unitof claim 7, wherein the monitoring device includes a radio transmitterfor transmitting radio location signals.
 9. A mobile storage unitcomprising: a) a substantially rectangular and rigid exo-skeletal framethat frames a storage region that is accessible from an open front andtwo open sides; b) a bag with a main storage compartment coupled to therigid exo-skeletal frame and positioned within the storage region; c) atop seat portion having a plurality of sides and configured to sit onwhile the mobile storage unit is in an upright position, wherein the topseat portion is supported along two or more sides by the rigidexo-skeletal frame; and d) means for stabilizing the mobile storage unitin the upright position.
 10. The mobile storage unit of claim 9, furthercomprising wheels and an extendable handle for rolling the mobilestorage unit while the mobile storage is in a tilted position.
 11. Themobile storage unit of claim 9, wherein the means for stabilizing themobile storage unit in the upright position includes retractable kickstand features that extend and retract from the exo-skeletal frame. 12.The mobile storage unit of claim 9, wherein the bag is formed from aflexible fabric material.
 13. The mobile storage unit of claim 12,wherein the bag includes a plurality of outside pocket features that areaccessible through one or more of the open front and the two open sidesof the exo-skeletal frame.
 14. The mobile storage unit of claim 9,further comprising a monitoring device for transmitting locationsignals.
 15. The mobile storage unit of claim 14, wherein the monitoringdevice includes a radio transmitter for transmitting radio locationsignals.
 16. A mobile storage system comprising: a) monitoring devicesfor coupling to mobile storage units and sending location signals; andb) means for receiving and processing the location signals and remotelyidentifying the geographical location of the mobile storage units,wherein the mobile storage units include: i) a rigid exo-skeletal framemade from tubes and brackets forming an open storage region; ii) aflexible storage bag with a main storage compartment, wherein theflexible storage bag couples to the rigid exo-skeletal frame whilepositioned within the open storage region; and iii) a top seat portionhaving a plurality of sides and configured to sit on while the mobilestorage unit is in an upright position, wherein the top seat portion issupported along two or more of the sides by the rigid exo-skeletalframe.
 17. The mobile storage system of claim 16, wherein each of themonitoring devices includes a cellular phone device.
 18. The mobilestorage system of claim 16, wherein each of the monitoring devicesincludes a GPS device.
 19. The mobile storage system of claim 17,further comprising a graphical user interface for displaying thegeographical locations of each of the mobile storage units.
 20. A mobilestorage unit comprising: a) a rigid frame; b) a flexible storage bagcoupled to the rigid frame; c) a first pair of wheels coupled at or neara base portion of the rigid frame structure for rolling the mobilestorage unit while tilting the mobile storage unit backwards; and d) oneor more retractable support structures, wherein the retractable supportstructures provide support to the mobile storage unit when the mobilestorage unit is in the upright position such that the mobile storageunit is prevented from tilting on the first pair of wheels, and furtherwherein the retractable support structures are able to be moved from aretracted position to an extended position while the mobile storage unitis in the upright position.